Canada
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We are a family living on a hobby farm - we currently raise swine, cattle, chicken and we have mini horses and a pony. The farm is primarily used as a community hub for youth programming focusing on youth empowerment and community capacity building.
Our farm is located 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa, there is no public transit near the farm. We have high speed internet on the farm. Sean is Regular Force military working in Ottawa, Stephanie is currently a full time graduate student preparing for military chaplaincy, the boys attend public school.
During COVID a lot of our programs are "on hold" - however we are running our high school program with three cohorts.
Our primary need at the moment is assistance in basic animal care as Stephanie has injured her back and is unable to do day to day chores reliably at this time of healing. Additionally, we require a person who is willing and interested in assisting with our children - mainly being a positive supervisory presence when both Sean and Stephanie are out of the house (the boys are 13 and 10, one has Aspergers).
We prefer long term stays of 3-12 months. We offer the use of our second vehicle as long as you are properly licensed and insured. We are open to you getting an off farm job to supplement your income. We are open to you running a farm business on the farm while you are here.
We are Christian, non-smokers, non-drinkers, homebodies, gamers, and meat eaters. If you think you can fit here - we would love to hear from you.
Language practice
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
You have the opportunity to learn about organic farming, harvesting and preserving.
You will also learn husbandry skills with all animals on the farm.
You can also choose to learn to ride or drive horses while you are here. (We currently DO NOT have any riding horses)
You can learn about training calves to be oxen - driving and riding (We currently have two in training)
You have ample time to explore Ottawa and it's surrounding area.
We are a family of four (children are boys 13 and 10), we have a house cat and house dog. Our house is comfortably lived in - we are not neat freaks. The boys do a lot of online gaming. The rhythms of the farm come first - livestock are fed and cleaned before anything else happens. We watch a lot of movies, and read a lot of books. We don't travel often (although Stephanie does from time to time). Our house can be loud - the boys are in that "stage" of wrestling and fighting.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
We are interested in increasing our French and German.
Varies by season:
Guest room in the house with us (2 kids + 1 dog)
Tents/Yurt/Motorhome - you are welcome to pitch your tent, park your motorhome and use the facilities of the farm house.
We frequently go into Ottawa - daily actually; we are happy to drop you off and arrange a pick up later in the day. The train (VIA) is close by making visiting Toronto/Montreal easy and affordable.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Keep in mind that we live in the country. The internet is good 90-95% of the time, unless it isn't. Town is very close, and I will often go to Starbucks or the public Library to work if our internet is down.
We have a large farm yard, with electrical hookup and possible water hookups.
One
3 hours a day, 6 days a week minimum
